OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) - Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts received his first shot of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccination on Saturday.
Ricketts was administered the shot at a Nebraska Med testing and vaccination clinic on 144th Street.
The 56-year-old signed up for the vaccine online and was notified of his eligibility to schedule an appointment for it earlier this week.
Ricketts said he signed up online because he wanted to see first-hand how effective the state's vaccine system is for citizens.
“I just wanted to be a consumer and see how the system worked, and it worked great," Ricketts said.
His wife, Nebraska first lady Susanne Shore, was given her first shot of the Pfizer vaccine on Wednesday.
While the experience was easy for the governor and first lady, he says the state is working to bring vaccines to areas like Douglas County where people have been waiting for their turn.
“As a state we are reallocating from areas of lower demand to areas of higher demand like in our urban areas," Ricketts said.
With more pharmacies getting the vaccine, and the local health departments able to open eligibility to those 16 and older on Monday, the governor is hoping to see a lot more Nebraskans signing up.
“Especially with the new variants out there," Ricketts said. "We want people to get vaccinated as quickly as possible.”
Ricketts says he trusts in the effectiveness of each of the COVID-19 vaccines and says this is the light at the end of the tunnel.
“I got a few more weeks to get the second dose and get fully vaccinated," Ricketts said. "But at the end of the day, this is how we end the pandemic.”
He wants to encourage those who get the Moderna or Pfizer shot to follow up with their second dose as well.
According to data from the state, over one million people in Nebraska have been administered a coronavirus vaccine. Just under 25 percent of the state's population is fully vaccinated.
You can sign up through the state at vaccinate.ne.gov or by calling 1-833-998- 2275.
Several local pharmacies also have sign-up options on their websites.
Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.
Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox.